ASSOCIATION NAJDEH Vocational Training Section...
Transcript of ASSOCIATION NAJDEH Vocational Training Section...
ASSOCIATION NAJDEH
Vocational Training Section
Mid-Annual Report January-June 2010
1. Project Context
Palestinian refugees are prohibited by law from practicing jobs that are subject to
syndicates; this has led to a high rate of unemployment amongst the refugee
populations. In addition, most of Palestinian refugee families are unable to secure
regular income, and with much difficulty gain access to only intermittent employment.
Unemployment is especially high for women. Thus, through the training courses offered
by the developed and properly equipped VT program, the number of school drop outs
decreased, Palestinian refugee women empowered socially as well as economically
since one of the program's aim is to secure job opportunities for its graduates.
Even of the slight modifications held by the Lebanese government in August 2010,
the situation didn’t change concerning Palestinian refugees working in Lebanon
regarding practicing professions related to syndicates. The Palestinian refugees, even
by being for more than 62 years in Lebanon, are unable to practice work and to attain
their Human Rights as human beings, and even of the support of many parlimentary
parties and figures to the Palestinians, still they are unable to have social security
services, working in professions related to syndicates, and facing economical and
social challenges prisoned in bad living conditions.This situation is yearly mentioned
in the reports issued by UNRWA and no serious preocedures are taken to decrease the
Name of Association Association Najdeh
Address and
Phone/Fax/Email
Afif Al Tibi street, Al Amin Building, 3rd
floor
Tel:+961) 1 302079
(+961) 1 703357
Fax:+961) 1 703358
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.association-najdeh.org
Program Officer Mrs. Amineh Bicher
Country and area Lebanon-Palestinian refugee camps and gatherings
Program Title Vocational Training
Program period (from-to) 1st January – 30
th June 2010
Reporting Date (date of
report submission)
Beneficiaries Palestinian refugee community in Lebanon
Budget
tense and the problems resulted from being unable to have a legal, secured and
protected job for palestinians in lebanon.
Najdeh as a civil organization working in the Palestinian camps launched the Right to
Work campaign in 2005 and managed through support of its partners to highlight over
the Palestinian refugees status and the Lebanese Labor law restrictions against
Palestinians. Over the passed 5 years, the campaign succeeded in attaining great
support from Lebanese ministers, deputies, palrimentary parties, and head of
municipalities, that´s besides the support of many figures represent great part of the
civil community at the local, regional and international level. The changes were not
enough but at least gave visibility to the Palestinian refugees as human beings and
they have basic demands of living in dignity and protected by laws.
Lack of protection combined with the restrictions that prohibit their employment in a
number of professions have contributed to the vulnerability and the increasingly high
levels of poverty amongst the refugee population. This discrimination aggravates
further the discrimination women already face within their communities.
There are many Palestinian organizations working in the Vocational Training Field in
Lebanon. But the VT training offered by Najdeh has a different quality and due to the
continuous capacity building workshops for the trainers, the raising awareness
workshops for the neneficiaries, the follow up for the graduates, the cooperation and
communication with the local community; all these contribute to give Najdeh´s VT
program good visibilty and transperancy.
Coordination and cooperation with other VT associations is in many fields; such as
excahnging experience, training, periodical meetings to forbid duplication of VT
courses, and participation in workshops and seminars.
There is significant action took place in the beginning of 2010, launching the
Emplyment Service Centre¨in coordination with UNRWA and the Committee for
Employment of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon CEP and funded by the Canadian
International Development Agency CIDA, to improve access to employment for
Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. This center aims to collect, analyze and distribute
information on the local labor market and to indentify employment and training
opportunities. This is to increase the opportunities of job placement for the Palestinian
refugee graduates in Lebanon.
2. Internal Context
Vocational training program:
Vocational training program is one of the most important programs that can be
consider an impressive alternate compensate for those who couldn’t continue their
education for various reasons, that’s vary between economical and socially, when
certain families can’t or unable to cover the expenses for their children expenses for
social or geographic reasons. So these vocational training could be the out lit for them
in the country to gain certain certificate in a country where the Palestinian are deprived
from practicing about 72 jobs, regarding this cruel fact. Even of the slight
modifications held by the Lebanese Government concerning the Labor law towards the
Palestinian refugee workers in August 2010 but the Palestinians still not attaining their
complete rights in practicing professions especially those related to syndicates.
Palestinian youth found their shelter in joining to these centers for many
important reasons as: financially that means the ability to cover the expenses for its
symbolic fees and socially on other hand, which can be translated in providing certain
profession and ensuring away for acquiring life, for these vocational training centers
choose the suitable and needed courses that can meet the markets’ needs and at the
same time suit Palestinians’ situation concerning their limited available space for work,
else they don’t have their own business.
As mentioned before vocational training program is one of the dispensable
programs, since it is found or created to help, support and lessen the burdens of
Palestinians refuges specially those who live in camps surrounded by sever hard
economical situations from one hand, and the siege they are witnessing at all levels,
beginning with the injustice law of Palestinians’ right to work to depriving them from
their rights to own certain property “ house, company or real estate” as if all these
inhuman procedures not enough for the Palestinians to suffer, but they daily subjected
to cruel hard procedures at the Lebanese check points in all Palestinians camps
,specially NB camp after the war to the extent that no one can enter without issuing a
permit from the Lebanese army. Under all these economical, social and security
levels Palestinians found them selves helpless and unable to make a real change, so
some organizations try to establish certain improvement as the case of vocational
training that in one way is trying to provide Palestinians with certain weapon in order
to continue, survive and confront life’s difficulties.
Najdeh´s VT program witnessed changes over its running sections concerning
its programs or its staff. The program added new courses: (English Language-Project
Management and Life Skill) and these became at all courses. Changes in the courses are
given due to the demands of the market and the attraction of the beneficiaries to the
courses.
The most significant change was the opening of the Vocational Training Center
for Excellence in Naher EL Bared. The aim of the project is to create opportunity and
promote the economic development for 1240 beneficiaries (800 trainees in the basic
introductory computer skill training, 325 beneficiaries in the advanced training topics
and 115 beneficiaries in training on the business development).The trainings include
basic IT course, Advanced IT course and Business Development course. The certificates
that would be provided for the graduates are approved by Microsoft Company.
Bodies, structures in the decision-making process
Decisions are made inside the organization and mostly from bottom-up.
Najdeh has operations in 10-refugee camps and some gatherings in Lebanon. Najdeh
staff lives in the camps and are part of the local community. The Executive Board
consists of officers responsible for the following sectors: Vocational Training program,
Popular Education program, Social Affairs program (that includes domestic violence
project), Mother and Child program, Administration and Finance department, Income-
Generating Projects, Embroidery Production section, and the coordinators of the
branches.
The committees of the respective program met on a monthly basis for implementing,
following up and Programmatic monitoring. In addition, the Program Section and
Branch Coordinators made field visits.
The sections and centers carry out the monthly reviews of program execution. The
project evaluation is carried out every six months on the center and section levels. The
financial and programmatic reviewing as well as the evaluation and monitoring are
done on the basis of: program execution, socio-economic survey of beneficiaries,
continuity in beneficiary participation, rate of job placement and successful home-
based economic activities, nature and results of coordination activities with other
community groups, evaluation of staff performance (absenteeism, relationship with
beneficiary families, financial and administrative efficiency, etc.).
In addition, sections, branches, and Najdeh's Executive Committee carries out a
biannual project evaluation, as well as an annual project evaluation and impact.
Financial management
The organization has a satisfactory financial management, capable of
projecting budgets for the various sections and producing reports. The organization has
a diverse and healthy portfolio of external donors. When faced with shortages, the
organization has been able to readjust and prioritize. The financial management unit
developed the method of working with two budgets: one minimum budget and one
according to the actual donations. In addition, the organization has found creative ways
of raising funds, both from the local community and from external donors. Financial
and administrative monitoring is carried out monthly by the Administrative
Committee. Financial reviews take place every three months with the participation of
the Najdeh accountant.
The income generating activities of the Al-Badia embroidery and Micro-Credit project
in Tyre and Beqa’a are financially self sustainable. In the past years, Al-Badia has
been systematically paying back part of the debt to Najdeh and will continue to do so.
The bank account signatories are two persons out of three, the president, the head of
administrative, and the financial officer.
Changes within the organization
Gender Policy
A large majority of the staff, at 80% is female, while the rate of gender distribution in
the General Assembly sat up at 51% women and 49% men in 2005. Over the last few
years the administrative bureau is at fifty-fifty female/male division (6 members). The
rate of Gender analysis is at the basis of Najdeh program development and its results
are presented separately for women and men. In regards to the Social Affairs Section
strategy, the plan is to increase the female beneficiaries' rate to 50%, especially in the
educational sponsorship issue where the majority of beneficiaries used to be males
students over the passing years. In general, Najdeh program is focused largely on
promoting women’s rights, expanding opportunities for women and countering
violence against women.
Networking and cooperation with other organizations
Coordination continued between the Vocational training Section and between Najdeh
other programs to exchange experience, curricular and extra curricular activities as
well as other NGOs as follows:
Coordination with NPA in continuing following-up the project of tracing the
graduates from 2000 to 2009 in its second phase.
At another level, the Section's centers coordinated with many official
institutes as, the language and science institute, Sidon institutes and Ahmad
Tiba institute, with regards to securing official certificates for the VT
graduates, especially in Tyre and Sidon centers. Besides, the staff
coordinated with official institutes in referring some graduates to continue
their vocational training and acquire official certificates especially for the
administrative courses graduates.
Internally, Najdeh's Social Affair and Popular Education programs resumed
to close follow-up of beneficiaries and their family members by linking them
to Najdeh's VT center. In addition, internal workshops were conducted by
Najdeh to VT staff to enhance their skills and capacities.
Coordination with Mercy Corps to secure jobs for graduates in their running
projects in Naher El Bared.
Coordination with NPA institute in Saida to conduct the ICDL exam and
decreasing the examination fees for them.
II Achievement of Results (Narrative Report):
Vocational training program
Vocational training program is focused on empowering the capacities and
professional skills that can enhance their social and economical opportunities. It is to
be noted that the staff work targeted youth members with focus on the gender issue,
which is clearly indicated in the referral of cases to other Najdeh Programs based on
the need. The work of the program staff mainly resulted in the following:
- A total of 290 beneficiaries had strengthened their capacities and enhanced
their economical and social opportunities through being enrolled to 24 VT
courses.
- A total of 331 VT beneficiaries had graduated successfully, and 32% of them
had secured job.
- A total of 160 field visits had conducted to companies and market to secure
job placements for 106 VT beneficiaries (Table 11).
- A total of 1284 direct and indirect beneficiaries had attended 42 career
orientation and raising awareness workshops.
- A total of 27 VT staff had enhanced their skills and capacities by attending 18
training work shops.
- Referral to vocational program contributed to the improvement of educational
situations and enhancing the professional skills, who reached 20 cases from
social affair.
Planned & Actual courses and number of beneficiaries:
Table 1 - Planned and Actual Courses and beneficiaries Jan – June 2010
Region Planned
courses
Actual courses Planned
number of
beneficiaries
Actual number
of Beneficiaries
Beirut 4 5 48 59
Sidon 4 4 48 47
Tyre 5 4 60 63
Beqa’a 8 6 96 71
North 4 4 48 50
Total 25 24 300 290
For the first half of 2010, the planned number of the VT courses was 25 with
300 beneficiaries. Actually, the number of courses that were implemented is 24
courses with total number of 290 beneficiaries.
During the first half of the year, 2 courses were not conducted due to
incomplete number of beneficiaries of ICDL and another course of Computer
Programming due to the extended first course. But there was an extra course of
Photography in Beirut due to the demands of the beneficiaries and the local
community.
The courses that were cancelled were 11 courses: 1 at Borj El Barajneh, 5
Sa'ad Nayel & Bar Elias, 1 Saida city, 1 Baddawi Camp, 1 Borj El Shemali, and all
of these mentioned courses were Computer Programs. Besides, 1 hairdressing course
in Ein El Helwi camp, and Photography and Montage in Saad Nayel in Beqa'a.
Unexpected Results
-The percentage of job placement at section level, especially in computer courses.
-Increasing demand from hairdressing Saloons and companies to hire the graduates.
-The positive impact that Najdeh Center receives from the official institutions that our
students continue their studies in.
-The presence of parents and their concern and interest about the results of their
children’s exams and their follow up.
- Focusing on the training according to the specialization in the training period and
the way of preparation and also on follow up.
-Strengthening the relationships with the Lebanese neighborhood of Naher El Bared
camp through tours in the camp and mutual visits, participation in the exhibitions and
activities of Nakbah Day.
-Coordinating with local NGOs in case of referring, and the most prominent referring
(5 people) is from Union of Handicapped to Accounting VT Courses.
-Coordinating with UNRWA with the Counseling and Orientation Office in purpose
of securing jobs for graduates.
-Announcing for free courses
Unexpected Negative results:
-Late in initiating the courses in Borj EL Barajneh VT center.
-Inability to accomplish the whole planned courses.
-The resignation of Saad Nayel VT center supervisor.
-The departure of a number of instructors and their instability in the program.
2- Target groups
The VT section empowered the professional skills and enhanced the social and economical
opportunities for a total of 290 direct beneficiaries among them 84% females. Also, the VT
program targeted 579 indirect beneficiaries by involving them in career orientation and
raising awareness workshops, conducting support groups and filling questionnaires. The
age of the target group ranges between 15 and above years old.
Beneficiaries
Of the total number of beneficiaries, 82% are Palestinians, 16% are Lebanese
and 2% is from other nationalities. As for the gender, 79% of the beneficiaries are
females. Moreover, the majority of the beneficiaries, at 77%, live in the camps and
their surrounding gatherings (see table 2).
Table 2 - Scio-economic background of VT beneficiaries. Jan – June 2010 (N=290)
Statistics
Total beneficiaries N:290
Number %
Nationality Palestinian 237 82%
Lebanese 47 16%
Other 6 2%
Age 15-19 152 52%
20-24 69 24%
25-34 50 17%
35+ 19 7%
Residence Camp 157 54%
City 21 7%
Suburbs 43 15%
Gathering 69 23%
Sex Male 62 21%
Female 228 79%
Educational Level Elementary 15 5%
Intermediate 178 61%
Secondary 50 17%
University 0 0%
As for the indirect beneficiaries, the number of indirect beneficiaries was 579 at the
rate of 84% females and 16% males. Those participated in the section plan for the
three years 2010-2012.
It is to be noted that there was launching for VT Excellence center in Naher El Bared.
The aim of the project is to create opportunity and promote the economic
development for 1240 beneficiaries (800 trainees in the basic introductory computer
skill training, 325 beneficiaries in the advanced training topics and 115 beneficiaries
in training on the business development).
The trainings include basic IT course, Advanced IT course and Business Development
course. The certificates that would be provided for the graduates are approved by
Microsoft Company.
In the first phase of the project, the number of beneficiaries is 151; out of those 104
are Palestinians and 47 Lebanese (68% Palestinians). Out of those, 61% are females.
The highest percentage of beneficiaries’ age ranges between15-24 is 85%. Out of the
151 beneficiaries, 68 of them are camp residents while the rest is living in the
suberbs.
Graduates and their Social Background: For the 1
st half of the year 2010, the actual number of graduates is 331 who
attended a total of 27 courses that started in the second half of 2009 and ended in
2010. Of those 84% are females and 16% males which is similar to the last year
percentage.
Table 3 – VT program: number of Courses and Graduates Jan-June 2010 (N = 331)
Region Center Courses ended in 2010
Courses Graduates
Beirut Shatila 2 21
B. Brajneh 2 16
Sidon Sidon City 4 53
E. Helweh 4 55
Tyre Buss 3 39
B. Shemali 3 44
Beqa'a
Bar Elias 2 25
Sa'adanyel 3 33
Bealbeck 0 0
Tripoli Baddawi 2 25
N. Bared 2 20
Total 27 331
For the first half of 2010, the majority of graduates from the VT courses were
Palestinians and women, at 86% and 84% respectively. Also, 77% of them live in
camps and gatherings (see table 4 below).
As for the VT Excellence center in Naher El Bared, the number of graduates
is 141 for the first half of 2010. Out of those, 81% of them are Palestinians, and 55%
are females. And as most of the courses, 80% of the graduates are of young ages (15-
24).
Table 4 - Social Background of VT Graduates Jan - June 2010 (N = 331)
Statistics
Total Graduates N = 331
Number %
Nationality Palestinian 286 86%
Lebanese 39 12%
Other 6 2%
Age 15-19 192 58%
20-24 67 20%
25-34 56 17%
35+ 16 5%
Residence Camp 190 57%
City 38 11%
Suburbs 37 11%
Gathering 65 20%
Sex Male 53 16%
Female 278 84%
Educational Level Illiterate 0 0%
Elementary 2 1%
Intermediate 217 66%
Secondary 79 24%
University 33 10%
Marital Status Single 286 86%
Married 40 12%
Divorced/ Widow 5 2%
Family Size 1-3 member 26 8%
4-7 member 242 73%
8+ 63 19%
Family monthly income
Below min wage 156 47%
Min wage 143 43%
Above min wage 32 10%
As for the graduates' educational level, 66% of graduates have the
intermediate level of education, whereas 24% of them have the secondary level and
10% have the university level of education.
As for the social family status, 86% of the graduates were single, 73% come
from families of 4-7 members; while 63% of the families socio-economic status is
bad where 98%of them earn the minimum and below the minimum monthly income
of living.
On the Job-Training:
Of the 331 graduates, 178 (at 54%) graduates underwent the post graduation
training. The majority of those, at 86% and 83% were Palestinians and females
respectively. Of the 106 working graduates, 15% of them were later hired by the
business that trained them; of those 85% were females.
The VT staff explored the local market in order to secure places at companies
and small business for the stage (on the job training) for the graduates. Thus, 160
visits were conducted to companies, hairdressing salons, studios, and small businesses
by the staff and graduates' committees during the reporting period.
Table 5- VT students: On the Job Training Jan-June 2010
Region No. of Graduates
Graduates had
to undergo
on the job
training
Job
Graduates working
through
on the job training
Placement Total Women
Beirut 37 15 41% 8 21% 5 5
100
%
Sidon 108 80 74% 19 18% 3 2 66%
Tyre 83 16 19% 17 20% 0 0 0%
Beqa’a 58 33 57% 36 62% 7 6 86%
Tripoli 45 34 57% 26 58% 12 10 83%
Total 331 178 54% 106 32% 27 23 85%
*It is to be taken into consideration that the on the job training rate varies from one
center to another according to the job market, the number of trained people in the
same field of work, and the need of the job employers for trainees.
Job Placement:
A total of 106 graduates (at 32%) out of 331 graduates obtained jobs during
the reported period; while the rate of job displacement for the same period of last
year was 30%. Consequently, we notified by comparing the two rates a minor
decrease which is 2%. Even of the bad economical situation, the graduates still able
to find jobs outside and inside the camps even though with the absence of social
security garauntees that protect and give them their rightful rights as workers. The
demands for equality with the Lebanese workers entered a new level of attaining the
rights for Palestinians.
Table 6 - VT Job Placement by Course & Region Jan – June 2010
(N = 106)
Course
Region
Total Beirut Sidon Tyre Beqa’a Tripoli
G J G J G J G J G J Grad.
Job
Placement
Computer
Programs 0 0 0 0 12 7 9 7 0 0 21 14 67%
Computer
ICDL 19 1 20 10 0 1 0 0 0 0 39 12 31%
Hairdressing 18 7 10 0 29 6 29 20 10 14 96 47 49%
Accounting 0 0 12 3 12 1 10 5 20 9 54 18 33%
Accounting &
Informatics (1) 0 0 37 3 14 0 0 0 0 0 51 3 6%
Accounting &
0 0 29 0 16 1 0 0 0 0 45 1 2% Informatics (2)
Photography &
Editing 0 0 0 3 0 1 10 4 15 3 25 11 44%
Total 37 8 108 19 83 17 58 36 45 26 331 106 32%
% 22% 18% 21% 62% 58%
Eighty three percent (83%) of the working graduates are females. Also, 76%
of the working graduates are Palestinians. Of the 106 working graduates 90 (at 84%)
are working in their field of specialization.
Moreover, the overwhelming majority, (at 92%), of the working graduates'
families earn the minimum and below the minimum wage of living, and socio-
economic status of 49% of the families is bad. This indicates that most of those who
found jobs were in need to enhance their economic situation.
At the regional level, Beqa’a marked the highest rate of job placement (at
62%) followed by Tripoli (at 58%). Beirut marked the third highest rate of graduates
who found jobs (at 22%).The fourth rate was noted in Tyre (21%).The lowest rate was
noted in Sidon (at 18%).
The highest rate of job placement was in the Computer programs which
reached 67% for the first half of 2010. On other hand, Photography & Editing and
hairdressing courses showed the second high rates of job placement at 49% and 44%
respectively. Moreover, the rate of graduates' job placement of Accounting and
Computer ICDL courses reached 33% and 31%, respectively. Lastly, the Accounting
& Informatics courses showed the lowest rate of job placement where only 4 (at 8%).
(See table 6).
A remarkable achievement was the continuing of higher education after
graduation from courses for 96 graduates. This can be seen in the table of Personal
Project information
Table 7- VT Job Placement Jan.-June 2010/ work location & Region
Job Working
outside field
Working in field
of
Home
Region Place
ment
Of
specialization
Specialization Based job
Beirut 8 0 0% 8 100% 3 37.5%
Sidon 19 3 16% 16 84% 0 0%
Tyre 17 5 29% 12 71% 2 12%
Beqa’a 36 6 17% 30 83% 11 31%
Tripoli 26 2 8% 24 92% 0 0%
Total 106 16 14% 90 86% 16 15%
86% of the working graduates found jobs in their field of specialization due to
the first half of 2010, while 14% found jobs outside their field of specialization. 16
working graduates out of 106 were working at home based job and all of them are
females. 65% of the graduates' jobs were located outside the camps, which indicate a
good progress in expanding the job opportunities outside the camps. Beirut registered
the highest rate of graduates working in the field of specialization at 100%.
The university students who attended the courses were 33 students, out of
those, 22 (67%) found jobs. The reasons behind their joining the courses varied
between working to fulfill university payments or the inavialability of job
opportunities that suits their field of specialization. The percentage of female students
was 90%.
As for the married and divorced graduates, the number was 45 beneficiaries;
out of those 27 (60%) of them found jobs, the percentage of females was 100%.
15 graduates worked in Hairdressing, 9 in Computer Programming, 2 in Photography
and 1 in Accounting. 27 graduates benefited from the VT program and empowered at
all levels, economically and socially.
There is a positive participation of married women into the courses. (Table 14 below)
As a summary, 10 graduates worked in computer programming, 4 Accounting, 4
Photography and Montage, 4 Hairdressing.
15 graduates worked in same specialization of work while 7 worked outside their
work of specialization.
Career Orientation:
Table 8: Career orientation Workshops for the period of Jan to Dec of the year 2010
Number
Type of
participants Total
Direct beneficiaries
Indirect beneficiaries
Topics of the workshops
Area Planned Actual Number Female Male Number Female Male
Beirut 8 13
Beneficiaries/
Surroundings/
parents 80 39 31 8 41 33 8
The importance of an
occupation/demands of the market/the
difference between the center and the
market/Developing the vocational and
personal skills.
Saida 6 9
beneficiaries/
graduates/
144 113 100 23 31 30 1
The importance of Job on training
stage/The behaviour of the
beneficiaries/ Target of the vocational
training and work/ Evaluation of the
courses.
Tyre 7 8
Beneficiaries/
parents/
94 62 50 12 32 28 4
The importance of work and job on
training stage/ The ethics of an
occupation and the methods of dealing
with cuztomers/ the good relationship
with Najdeh.
Beqa'a 6 6
Parents/
Surroundings/
School
students 169 81 72 9 88 74 14
The importance of vocational training/
Introducing the programs of Najdeh/
The demands of the market/ The
importance of having an occupation.
Tripoli 4 6
Beneficiaries/
Graduates/
Local
community 92 68 40 8 24 20 4
The important role of career
counselling and orientation/Purposes of
Career orientation/ Difficultites that
face the graduates in the job market/
The importance of vocational training
Total 31 42 579 363 303 60 216 185 31
The plan was to conduct 31 career orientation workshops while actually 42
workshops were conducted during the first half of the year 2010. A total of 579
participants (90% Females) in all VT centers attended the workshops. Beneficiaries
from all the courses, graduates, parents and members of the local community, besides
school students and drops out participated in these Career Orientation workshops.
In advertising for the workshops, different methods were followed such as:
distribution of leaflets, and advertisement through the camps local TV channels.
Besides meetings were conducted with beneficiaries and graduates who helped in the
enrollment of new beneficiaries, and during these meetings the course plan and
program were presented.
Also during these workshops many important issues were discussed as: the
importance of job, its relation to market’s needs and the job’s risks, also the
workshops focused on the importance of job training and the different ways for work
orientations and how much work affects and reforms one’s personality at various
levels; socially and economically. Also, the importance of education, especially
university education, was of the topics that were stressed during the workshops.
Another interesting topic discussed during the lectures was the introduction to
association’s programs.
These various workshops affected positively all the beneficiaries and enhanced their
self esteem, besides giving alert or attention to appreciate women’s role in society.
Moreover, these workshops worked on lighting and paving the way for the
beneficiaries to be more conscious and aware in choosing the job or the profession
that suits them and their abilities
In general, these are the most handled topics as: the importance of profession, on
the job-training, women’s rehabilitation and the problems they may face at work, the
characteristics of trainees, and the measures to be taken to avoid dangers that may be
faced in any profession.
Beneficiaries and Graduates Committees:
Table 9 - No. of beneficiaries' committees and graduates' committees:
Center
No. of members
of beneficiaries'
committee No. of meetings
No. of members
of members of
graduates'
committee No. of meetings
Beirut 8 4 3 1
Saida 12 22 15 15
Tyre 22 25 5 5
Beqa'a 21 14 21 12
Tripoli 21 18 14 8
Total 85 83 58 41
A total of 85 beneficiaries participated in 83 meetings of the beneficiaries'
committees during the first half of 2010. Also, 58 graduates committees were formed
and participated in 41 meetings respectively. The beneficiaries and graduates
committees actively participated in monitoring the course’s enrollment and
attendance; conducting home visits, publicizing VT courses and several solidarity
activities. They also have an active role in organizing and participating in the
awareness raising workshops that focused on issues such as: Domestic Violence,
Rights, Discrimination, health topics, and career orientation workshops.
Moreover, the students and graduates organized many indoor and outdoor
celebrations and exhibitions on various occasions such as; the graduation parties, as
well as making several visits to the working agencies.
Program Referrals
Najdeh’s Vocational Training program and Social Affairs program resumed
their close follow-up of beneficiaries and their family members, while linking them to
Najdeh’s other programs. The purpose is to empower hardship families and cases by
providing them necessary tools to be self-sufficient. A total of 20 cases of the Social
Affairs program were referred to Najdeh’s Vocational Training Program.
Table 10 - Program Referrals - Jan. June 2010
Region Referral from SA to VT
Beirut 4
Sidon 5
Tyre 0
Beqa’a 8
Tripoli 3
Total 20
Various activities were carried out at the level of the Vocational Training
Program concerning relation and cooperation with other organizations. As for the job
marketing, it became one of the basic activities for the staff in collaboration with the
beneficiaries and graduates in order to facilitate on the job-training and job placement
opportunities. The importance of this relation is shown clearly in the percentage of the
on the job-training and job placement.
Staff Training
- All VT trainers and centers’ supervisors attended workshops with UNRWA
about Career Orientation and its relevance with job placement and market
demands and how to write a CV.
- All VT Centers’ supervisors attended workshops about the Policy of
protecting children from exploitation. The workshops organized by Najdeh.
- Two VT trainers (Hairdressing and Accounting) attended a 2 days workshop
about the participation of woman in the political life; this workshop was
organized by RDFL and NPA.
- Naher El Bared VT center supervisor attended a workshop about Camp
Management for 3 days. This workshop was organized by Norweigian
Refugee Counsil (NRC).
- Baddawi VT center supervisor attended a 3 days Gender Policy and Human
Rights workshop with Human Rights Organization.
- There was a distinguished activity and attendance for the Borj El Shemali VT
center supervisor workshops with
1- Palestinian Human Rights Organization for 7 days about the Mechanisms
of monitoring and documentation of violations against women.
2- Project management with Danish Refugee Counsel for 6 days.
3- Merging approach of gender equality in the work of NGOs with Diakonia
for 5 days.
4- Empowering women in the participation of political life with NPA for 5
days.
- One VT supervisor attended a 2 days workshop about Refugees’ Rights
organized by Humanitarian Development Center.
- One VT center supervisor attemded the launching of Rehabiliatation network
for handicapped by Nabil Badran Center and Women Humanitarian
Organization.
- 3 VT trainers (2 hairdressing & 1 Photography) attended a Make-Up
workshop for two days organized by the Center of supporting and counseling
women (RC).
- One VT center supervisor attended a workshop about Youth Rights organized
by Masar organization which is an organization for Counseling youth about
politics.
-
3- Sustainability of Results
Association Najdeh has a wide network of contacts and a long history working over
the decades. Lebanses officials have indicated and on more than one occasion in
meetings with NGOs working with Palestinian refugees their implicit appreciation of
the work of they are doing to support the Palestinian community and to provide its
needs.
The commitment of graduates to stay in contact with the Centers especially in
participating in the graduate committees and getting involved in following up the
courses and updating the center with the market demands, assisting in monitoring and
evaluating the courses And the program as a whole. The VT staff is in continous
follow up to the graduates which guarantee a strong relationship and communication
and a path to be opened for new graduates to find jobs through the graduation
committees.
The reputation of association Najdeh gives visibility to the VT program through the
number of beneficiaries in all camps and gatherings and this can be noticeable in the
yearly percentage of 40% achieved by the graduates.
The quality of the courses given and the skillful staff provide an attraction for new
beneficiaries and gurauntes a distinguished vocational training program in the local
community, this also in returns attracts new donors and helps in maintaining
sustainability for the program as a whole and the project in particular.
Najdeh has demonstrated its capacity to successfully manage big projects funded by
main institutional donors. And this encourages and attracted new donors to support
and fund Najdeh.
Challenges:
- The VT Program plan wasn't fully implemented as planned due to departure of
trainers, deficiency of equipments in Buss VT center and un commitment of
beneficiaries.
- Securing jobs placement for the VT graduates mainly females under the unjust
Lebanese labor laws concerning Palestinians refugees in Lebanon, impact of
international financial crisis and high rate of unemployment.
- The competition of other NGOs and the duplicity of the program's activities
- The unstable political situation that delays and interrupts the VT courses from time
to time
- The traditional overwhelming mentality of the Palestinian refugee community in
regards to women role
Strategies to overcome the identified strategies:
-Coordination and networking with local and international associations that are
interested in training and hiring graduates.
-Flexibility in postponing and extending the courses depending on the unstable
situation
-Supporting women through empowering them economically can change the
traditional mentality regarding the working women.
-Employing trainers instead of those who departure; also following up and
communicating with beneficiaries to conduct the courses.
-Using different practical methods in giving the courses which make Najdeh's VT
centers distinguished from other associations and prevented the duplicity of courses.
5- Opportunities and Risk Assessment:
Main Risks:
- The world economic crisis that is reflected negatively and may affect the program
in increasing the unemployment rate among graduates
Mitigation of Risks:
- Najdeh's VT courses depend on demands of the job market, which decreases the
rate of unemployment
6- Case study
See it in Annex B
Annex A
Outcome #
- Palestinian Refugee youth strengthened their capacities and professional skills that can
enhance their social and economical opportunities
Indicators Progress as of (date of reporting)
Number of direct
groups enhanced
their skills and
opportunities
through VT
courses
- 290 direct groups at 79% females and 21% males had empowered
their capacities and professional skills and enhanced their social and
economical opportunities through enrolling them in 27 VT courses.
- An extra 141 graduates, 55% of them are females had empowered
their professional skill in Naher El Bared VT Excellence center.
Number of
beneficiaries
graduated
successfully
- 331 graduates at 84% females and 16% males had graduated
successfully
- An extra 151 beneficiaries at 61% females had graduated sucessfully
in Naher El Bared.
Outcome #
- Palestinian Refugee youth expanded their job opportunities
Indicators Progress as of (date of reporting)
Number of
graduates secured
job placement
- 178 graduates of 331 underwent post graduation training
- 106 graduates out of 331 had secured job placement at 83% females
- 90 graduates at 86% work in their field of specialization
Output #
- Direct and indirect target group participated in awareness and training workshops
Indicators Progress as of (date of reporting)
- Number of target
group participated
in workshops
- 27 VT staff had attended 18 training workshops to enhance their
capabilities and skills.
- 1284 direct and indirect beneficiaries (90% females) participated in
42 career orientation workshops and benefited indirectly from the
improvement of social and economical situation of the beneficiaries.
Output #
Committees formed to follow up the process of implementing through conducting meetings
Number of
members in
committees
participated in the
process of
implementing the
program
- 85 members of beneficiaries committee conducted 83 meetings to
participate in monitoring the course’s enrollment and attendance;
conducting home visits, publicizing VT courses and several solidarity
activities
- 58 members of graduates committee conducted 41 meetings to
organize and participate in the awareness raising workshops.
Output #
Visits conducted to secure job placements for graduates
Number of visits
occurred to secure
job placement
160 field visits had conducted to companies and market to secure job
placements for 106 VT beneficiaries.
Output #
*It is to be noted that seperating the graduates and the beneficiaries of NB VT Excellence
center from the VT main beneficiaries of the VT program due to inavailability of job
placement for them, which if in case been computed togather will lower the percentage of job
placement.
Annex B
Case Study
Name: Huda Tarshishi
Age: 38 years old.
Status: Married, 4 daughters, 2 grandchildren.
Residance: Sa’ad Nayel – Beqa’a
Huda is a married woman graduated from Hairdressing course in Sa’ad Nayel
Beqa’a area. She is the mother of 4 daughters and a grandmother for 2 children. She is
a very active woman and loves life despite of the cruel and harsh circumistances the
family is passing; the husband is unemployed and there is no other alternative or
assistance to support the family, where all her daughters still studying except her
eldest one who is married with two daughters.
Since she joined the hairdressing course, she became very interested in continuing
this occupation despite of the difference of age between her and the other
beneficiaries which was not an obstacle concerning the good atmosphere of the
center. She adapted with the beneficiaries in a good way and they accepted her as a
colleague. From the second month of the training she started working from her home
by transforming one of the rooms into a simple hairdressing shop. She became a
reproductive element at her house where the economical situation got improved. Her
daughters are helping her in her shop occasionally and showed great cooperation and
support to their devoted mother.
Huda became confident and applied for a loan of 500$ from Najdeh’s Income
Generating program and her application is under study to fulfill all the applicant’s
conditions.
Huda participated in Najdeh’s raising awareness workshops and she was very
active in giving her opinion and discussing the topics about Women’s rights and many
other topics. She was showing great independence economically and on the level of
decision making. Huda became committed to the Association where she became
sincere and devoted in talking about the programs of Najdeh and the benefits she got
from being at one of its courses.
Annex C
Lessons learned
Through out experiences that were gained during implementing the vocational
training program, many lessons were learnt which helped in achieving improvements
and developments in the program along the years, these were as followed:
1. Conducting plan and emergency plan before implementing the program in
order to measure the results and committing to it.
2. Coordinating with the local community to complete the registration process of
beneficiaries and following up a registration mechanism.
3. Depending on the support groups in the process of implementing
4. Meetings that are conducted with parents enhance the relations among parents
and center and help to solve the problems and conflicts
5. Importance of having data base for beneficiaries
6. Importance of conducting raising awareness workshops which help in
developing the beneficiaries' behaviors and personality by enhancing their self
confidence.
7. Importance of coordinating and networking with other associations that have
vocational training programs.
Annex D
Tables
Table 11: Visits to companies and Hairdressing shops, Jan-June 2010
Center N. of visits
Companies Reason for
the visit Result Remarks old New
Beirut 6 3 3
Securing
Stage and
introduction/
work
Securing
stage for 13
graduates/
Job
placement
through
stage for 3
graduates
Visits by
the
supervisor
of the
center
Saida 60 48 12
Securing
stage /
Inroduction
for
Programs of
A+/ follow
up the ICDL
exam
Securing
Stage for
80
graduates /
job
placememnt
for 2
graduates
Lowering
the exam
fees for the
ICDL
exam
Tyre 14 10 4
Securing
Stage and
introduction/
work
Securing
stage for 16
graduates
Visits
conducted
by the
trainers
Beqa'a 35 15 20
Securing
Stage and
Securing
stage for 9 -
introduction/
work
graduates
and job
placement
for 7
graduates.
Tripoli 45 18 27
Securing
Stage and
introduction/
work
Securing
stage for 24
graduates/
and job
placement
for 12
graduates
Visits
conducted
by the
trainers and
the
supervisor
of the
center
Total 160 94 66
Table 12: Jobs that the graduates worked in, Jan-June 2010
Number of
graduates in
each area
Type of
courses
Type of Work Certificate More info
Saida city 2
graduates
Computer
Prog.-
Accounting
Company-
Administration-
Accounting (by
using computer)
-English
Literature –
History
Ein El Helwi
3 graduates
Computer
Prog.
2 Animators-
Nursing Lady
-History –
Nursery –
English
Literature
Data Entry-
Typing
reports
Buss 2
graduates.
Computer
Prog.-
Accounting
Secretary Business
Management
Same job
Borj El
Shemali 1
graduate.
Computer
Prog.
English Language
Teacher
English
Literature
Typing
exams
Sa'ad Nayel
9 graduates.
4 Computer
Prog- 2
hairdressing- 2
Photography
and Montage.
Supermarket(using
computer)- Teacher-
Photography and
Montage
-Computer
Prog. –French
Literature –
Business
Management –
Business
Management.
Same job
except one
Bar Elias 2
graduates.
Accounting (2) Accountant in an
Exhibition-
Accountant in a
company
Arabic
Literature –
Industrial
Electronics-
Computer-
Technology
Same job
Baddawi 3
graduates.
Hairdressing-
Photography
Saloon-
Photography and
English
Literature-
and Montage Montage. English
Literature
Table 13: Working married and divorced women Jan- June 2010.
Center status Type of course
Buss 5 married 2 hairdressing
3 Computer Prog.
Shatila 2 married 2 hairdressing
Borj El Barajneh 1 married 1 hairdresssing
Saida 4 married 1 accounting
3 Computer Prog.
Broj El Shemali 1 married 1 hairdressing
Sa'ad Nayel 10 married 6 hairdressing
1 photography
3 Computer Prog.
Ba'albeck 1 divorced 1 Hairdressing
Bared 2 married 1 Hairdressing
Baddawi 1 married 1 Photography